Happy New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve ~ Hope all you fabulous Dolls have a fantastic time tonight saying goodbye to 2013. And thank you to everyone for helping Laughing Vixen Lounge have it's best year yet!!! 2013 ~ we had a time ~ 2014 ~ here we come!!!

Fear Friday ~ Beware The Stroke Of Midnight!!!

Before we get started here are the winners of the Christmas A Go-Go Giveaway. Thanks to everyone for playing and we will be back in February for the 4th annual 14 Nights of Valentine's Day Movie Marathon Giveaway. Stay tuned!!!

Grand Prize Winner...
Denise H.

Second Place Winner...
Britnee

Winners have already been notified.


It's time for another Fear Friday here at Laughing Vixen Lounge. This week we have our final holiday themed movie. A little known gem from the 80's set on New Year's Eve. So get ready to ring in the new year with this less than stellar but still worth a watch film. Enjoy!

Every Friday at the Laughing Vixen Lounge Blog is Fear Friday. Fear Fridays are a celebration of all films spooky. Horror is a very broad genre and the Lounge loves it all. Each Friday you will find a review of a different film. These can range from Classic Horror (black and white and cheesy), Thrillers (suspense, jumps and a good mystery), outright Horror (chop chop, slash slash, die die) and anything else in between.

So pop some popcorn, kill the lights and enjoy tonight's selection. And please, share your comments on the film. Bad or good let me know what you thought of it. And now, my little ghouls and dolls, the Laughing Vixen Lounge Blog is proud to present this week's film.

Fear Friday ~ New Year's Evil (1980)

Tagline - This New Year's, you're invited to a killer party...


Directed by Emmett Alston (Demonwrap and Force of the Ninja) and released in December 1980 by Cannon Films (Rated R). The host of a big New Year's Eve party is receiving threatening calls that promise a death at each stroke of Midnight. As the Midnights come and go the killings gets closer and closer. Will our host survive the night? And do we really care?

I was looking for something with a New Year's theme and I came across this film. While it is by no means a great movie it's not all that bad either. Set against a 1980's Punk Rock/New Wave New Year's Eve party that is being broadcast from LA. The host of the show, Diane, receives calls each stroke of midnight from some creepy guy who has just killed someone. Unlike most movies we actually see the killer from the beginning. We just do not know who it is yet.

This movie has lots of bad 80's style, music, acting and lots of "mommy" issues. I still found it fun enough to watch just do not expect too much from it. This is a Golan-Globus production. If you are a Mystery Science Theater 3000 fan like me you will remember quite a few movies from this production company got riffed during that show.

New Year's Evil is currently available on Netflix and Amazon.



Take a look at the original trailer.



Sorry, no trivia on this one.

Fear Friday ~ Don't Answer That Phone!!!

Before we get to this week's Fear Friday I want to share the last few holiday recipes that were submitted during the Christmas A Go-Go Giveaway last week. Some tasty treats to have with your Christmas "fear".

This recipe was submitted by Lori.

Peanut Butter Balls

"Here is my favorite holiday recipe. It is very special to me because it brings back memories of my Nana and I making them every year at Christmas time (and they are soooo delicious!!!)!!"

Ingredients

• 1 cup crunchy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup margarine or butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups of rice krispies cereal                                                            
• 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate morsels
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 54 mini-muffin paper cups                               

Directions

1. In large electric mixer bowl, beat peanut butter, margarine and sugar on medium speed until thoroughly combined. Add rice krispies cereal, mixing thoroughly. Portion mixture, using rounded teaspoon. Shape into balls. Place each ball in paper cup. Refrigerate.

2. Melt chocolate morsels and shortening in small saucepan, over low heat, stirring constantly. Spoon 1 teaspoon melted chocolate over each peanut butter ball. Refrigerate until firm. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

This recipe was submitted by Krista.

Popcorn Garland

My favorite is stringing popcorn and cranberry as I did as a child. My family has added. We also use cinnamon sticks, dried orange peels and hang them wrapped with the lights. The warmth of the lights makes the house smell great. I also drop a few drops of warm vanilla oil that smell is fantastic and the kids love doing it.

Fear Friday ~ The Christmas Edition Pt. 3

It's Friday and time for another Fear Friday at Laughing Vixen Lounge. This week we continue with the Christmas theme with a very dark classic from the director that also brought us A Christmas Story. A lesson in why you should always go home for Christmas and never stay behind at your Sorority house. And if you do, do not pick up that phone!!! Enjoy!

Every Friday at the Laughing Vixen Lounge Blog is Fear Friday. Fear Fridays are a celebration of all films spooky. Horror is a very broad genre and the Lounge loves it all. Each Friday you will find a review of a different film. These can range from Classic Horror (black and white and cheesy), Thrillers (suspense, jumps and a good mystery), outright Horror (chop chop, slash slash, die die) and anything else in between.

So pop some popcorn, kill the lights and enjoy tonight's selection. And please, share your comments on the film. Bad or good let me know what you thought of it. And now, my little ghouls and dolls, the Laughing Vixen Lounge Blog is proud to present this week's film.

Fear Friday ~ Black Christmas (1974)

Tagline - If this movie doesn't make your skin crawl... It's On Too Tight!

             The sort of Christmas you don't dream of.

             He Knows When You're Sleeping, He Knows if You're Awake, He
             KNOWS...

Directed by Bob Clark (Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things, Porky's and A Christmas Story) and released on December 20, 1974 by Warner Brothers (Rated R). When a few sorority sisters stay behind for Christmas break they start receiving disturbing phone calls. As the phone calls continue so does the body count!!!

This is a truly creepy movie. Four years before Halloween, Bob Clark released this very dark and disturbing horror film. It really did start the trend of horror films in the late 70's and early 80's. Funny enough, Bob Clark would go on to release A Christmas Story nine years later in 1983. Talk about two very different Christmas tales!!!

The phone calls alone should make your skin crawl in this. They are not very pleasant. The film works. Something about pairing the innocents of Christmas time with the brutality of a horror film works very well. I suggest turning out the lights one night and giving this a try. Just hope the electricity does not go out after it's done like when I watched it!!! Talk about scaring yourself to death!!! Ha!!!

There was a remake in 2006. As with most modern remakes it was more focused on the gore than on what truly makes it scary. And they always feel the need to give way too much back story. It's not needed and neither was this remake.

Take a look at the original trailer.

Some trivia about the movie.

1. Upon initial release in the US the films title was changed to "Silent Night, Evil Night" because the American distributor feared the title "Black Christmas" might cause the film to be mistaken for a 'blaxploitation' flick. However the film didn't do well under the new title and it was changed back to the original "Black Christmas" title, under which it was a success.
2. Reportedly, writer Roy Moore took inspiration for the story from an actual series of murders that took place in Montreal, Quebec around the Christmas season.
3. The film is regarded as being one of the first slasher films. It set the layout for films such as John Carpenter Halloween (1978). However, director Bob Clark considered it to be more of a psychological horror film than a slasher film.
4. The role of Mrs. Mac was offered to Bette Davis
5. The role of Peter was originally offered to Malcolm McDowell, but he turned it down.
6. The role of Lieutenant Fuller was originally supposed to be played by Edmond O'Brien, but due to failing health he had to be replaced. John Saxon was brought in at the last minute.
7. According to director Bob Clark, there were three voices used for the frightening phone calls, including actor Nick Mancuso, an unnamed actress, and himself.
8. The original title of the films script was "Stop Me". It was director Bob Clark who came up with the title "Black Christmas" saying that he liked the irony of something dark occurring during such a festive holiday.

9. Actress Lynne Griffin revealed that for the scenes where she's wrapped in the plastic bag she would rip a hole in the bag, stuffing the opening into her open mouth so she could breathe during filming.

10. Composer Carl Zittrer said in an interview that he created the bizarre music score for the film by tying forks, combs, and knives to the strings of his piano so the sound would warp as he struck the keys. Zittrer also said he would distort the sound further by recording audio tape while putting pressure on the reels of the machine to make it turn slower.

11. The audio for the demented phones calls was edited into the film during post-production. While shooting the footage for the phone call scenes the actresses were actually just reacting to threatening dialog being spoken from director Bob Clark from off-camera.

12. The snow seen outside of the sorority house was actually fake, because there had been surprisingly little snow fall during the filming. A foam material that was provided by the local fire department was used for snow on the lawn and according to cinematographer Albert J. Dunk the substance actually caused the grass on the lawn to grow greener than ever the following spring.

13. According to director Bob Clark the original script for the film featured murder scenes that were more graphic. Clark however felt that it would be more effective if the murders were toned down and made more subtle on screen. Writer Roy Moore liked the idea as well.

14. Minimal vulgarity from the phone calls were initially scripted, director Bob Clark read out rather tame dialogue for the actors to react to. However stronger coarse language was later looped in post-production for a stronger reaction.

15. Keir Dullea worked only for a week on this film, never meeting Margot Kidder and barely meeting John Saxon, but the film is edited in such a way that he appears to be present throughout.

16. Gilda Radner was offered the role of Phyllis Carlson. She was attached, but dropped out one month before filming began owing to Saturday Night Live (1975) commitments.

17. When NBC showed the film during prime time (under the title "Stranger in the House"), it was deemed 'too scary' for network television and was pulled off the air.

18. Star Margot Kidder admitted in an interview that she never thought that the film would become a hit and was surprised to learn that it had gained such a large cult following over the years.

Day 15 of the Christmas A Go-Go Giveaway

Welcome to day 15 of the 2nd annual Christmas A Go-Go Giveaway from Laughing Vixen Lounge. Today is the last day to stop by the main Giveaway Post and enter to win the $280+ Prize Pack full of Fa-La-La-Luscious treats from 15 of the most fabulous shops around. Giveaway ends at Midnight EST. We hope you have enjoyed all the holiday fun here at the Lounge. No Holiday Trivia today but you will find a few new extra entries below just for fun. Let's give a big "Thank You" to all the shops who participated this year and donated to the Prize Pack. And thanks for all of you how stopped by and support our giveaways.

Make sure to join us again in February for the 4th annual 14 Nights of Valentine's Day Movie Marathon Giveaway. We are always looking for shops who would like to participate in future giveaways and blogs who would like to help promote us. You can contact me through my Etsy shop, or leave a comment below, to discuss details. It's lots of fun and very easy to do.

Holiday Trivia Game
Did everyone have fun with the trivia? How well did you do? Here is the answer to yesterday's question.

Yesterday's Question ~ An ornament, shape like what food, is hidden on the Christmas tree bringing good fortune to the first child who finds it Christmas morning?

Answer ~ A pickle!!! This is a supposed German tradition that I thought was so funny and fun, and being of German decent, I bought one of these for my mom many years ago. How bummed I was, when writing this, to find that it is only a US marketing scheme and not really a German tradition. Oh well, I still love it.

Christmas Movie Favorites

Since we have no featured shop today instead are some great holiday movies to watch this year. No particular order. Just some of this Vixen's favorites. I left out any that were already mentioned during the giveaway.

A Christmas Carol ~ 1984

A Christmas Carol ~ 1999

While there are so many versions of this story, and most of them enjoyable, these are two of my favorites. George C. Scott and Patrick Stewart both make a wonderful Scrooge.

A Charlie Brown Christmas ~ 1965

Charlie Brown and his little sad little Christmas tree are such a part of the holiday. And I just love the bright colored aluminum trees at the tree lot. Fabulous!!!

The Bishop's Wife ~ 1947

Cary Grant as an Angel... what more needs to be said?

The Family Man ~ 2000

This Nick Cage movie, another turn at It's A Wonderful Life, is a favorite of my sister.

The Family Stone ~ 2005

A wonderful cast and a touching and funny story.

Christmas In Connecticut ~ 1945

Another black and white classic. Always worth a watch.

Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town ~ 1970

One of the animated shows I always watched growing up (and maybe as an adult too *wink*). Fun songs and the love the Winter Warlock.

Babes In Toyland ~ 1986

Yes, there are many other versions of this story that are surely much better. This one is a rather scary mess of a movie. But I had to add it as it has a young Keanu Reeves and Drew Barrymore in it. Love that Keanu!!!

About A Boy ~ 2002

This is just one of those movies that always leaves me with a warm happy feeling and reminds me of what a nice movie should look like.

Love Actually ~ 2003

A very sweet romantic comedy.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas ~ 1966

How could it be Christmas without watching The Grinch? Boris Karloff and the most fun Christmas song to sing.

Four Christmases ~ 2008

While it may fall short in a few places, this movie is still a fun watch. I have always been a fan of Vince Vaughn and, if you look closely, you will see Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) from A Christmas Story at the beginning of the movie.

Jingle All The Way ~ 1996

OK, this is one of those that is so BAD that it is funny to watch. I mean it really is a stinky mess but it is so bad it is fun. And it does have Phil Hartman in it who is always a joy to watch!!!

While You Were Sleeping ~ 1995

One of my favorite romantic comedies and the Christmas backdrop makes it a great holiday watch.

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer ~ 1964

One of the classics. Fun songs, fun characters and fun to watch. Even though as an adult I see just how horrible some of it is. I mean, Santa is kind of a butthead. He, like everyone else, does not want anything to do with Rudolph, the freak, until he has something that is useful to him. Falalalalalalalala!!! Ha!!!

But there is the Bumble and he is just so cute!!! I mean just look at those man boobies. Ha!!!

Earn 10 Extra Entries ~ Submit Your Holiday Recipe.
Submit your own holiday recipe or craft how-to for an extra 10 entries in the giveaway. You will find the entry, with full details on how to submit the recipe, on the Rafflecopter widget on the main Giveaway Post. We will post submitted recipes daily.

Here are the last of our holiday recipes. Enjoy!!!

This recipe was submitted by Jessica.

Snicker Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks butter (softened)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 13oz bags mini snickers (frozen to help prevent spillage)

Directions:

1. Combine butter, peanut butter, and sugars until light and fluffy
2. slowly add eggs and vanilla, making sure they are well combined
3. Mix the dry ingredients together and then add to butter mixture
4. set aside and chill 2-3 hours
5. preheat over to 300 degrees
6. divide the dough into 1 tablespoon pieces and flatten
7. place snickers in the center of the dough and form a ball around the snickers. Make sure that the snickers are completely covered (or else the caramel will spill on your cookie sheets and get messy. I lay parchment paper down anyway just to be safe)
8. place on a greased cookie sheet
9. bake for 18-20 minutes. check the cookies around 15 minutes!!
10. cool on a cookie rack. enjoy your warm cookies!

That year I had bought the fun sized Snickers (because they were on sale or something) and just cut them in half. Sometimes I will use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy because the boyfriend likes the extra peanuts. These are always a huge hit at parties too because people aren't expecting the snickers. I've done a variation of this and made a chocolate chip cookie dough without the chips and placed a Rolo in the middle. Those are tasty too. Well, I hope you enjoy these as much as we do!


This recipe was submitted by Malaika.

Snow Globe Cakepops

"I don't have pictures of when I made them and I wanted it to be explained really well so others could make them perfectly so I gave you the actual video. I LOVE THESE because first they are cake pops and second they are SNOW GLOBES! I LOVE SNOW GLOBES and I collect them. So these hold a special place in my heart. And you have got to admit that these cake pops are pretty dang adorable. AM I RIGHT! \(^.^)/

**New entries for the Christmas A Go-Go Giveaway**

A couple new entries have been added to the Rafflecopter widget on the main Giveaway Post. You will find them at the end of all the entries. These are just for fun so enjoy!

Day 13 of the Christmas A Go-Go Giveaway

 

Welcome to day 13 of the 2nd annual Christmas A Go-Go Giveaway from Laughing Vixen Lounge. Make sure to stop by the main Giveaway Post and enter to win a $250+ Prize Pack full of Fa-La-La-Luscious treats from 12 of the most fabulous shops around. Each day you will find daily holiday trivia that can earn you lots of extra entries (see details below). There will also be shop features for all of our participating shops. They will be reminiscing about their favorite holiday movies and giving us a peek at how they do what they do.

A big part of the Christmas Giveaway are the holiday recipes. What better way to enjoy the holiday season than with some old favorites and a few new desserts and dishes. Our shops are sharing their favorites and we invite you to do the same. You can submit your own recipe to earn 10 extra entries and have it posted on the blog for everyone to enjoy. See details below.

Every Friday at the Laughing Vixen Lounge Blog is Fear Friday. Fear Fridays are a celebration of all films spooky. During December they will all have a Christmas theme. A special treat for any spooky movie fan and just maybe a chance for some more extra entries. 

12 Days Of Christmas Charm Bracelet 

Purchase any item(s) from Laughing Vixen Lounge through December 31st and get 10% off your order. Use code DECEMBER10 at checkout.


Holiday Trivia Game
Test your knowledge and earn an extra entry each day. Each daily post will have a holiday trivia question. Leave your answer on the Rafflecopter widget, on the main Giveaway Post, for 1 entry in the giveaway. Please do not post answers anywhere else on the blog or they will be deleted and not count.

**You can only post 1 answer per 24 hour period. Rafflecopter runs on Eastern Standard Time. So if you miss a day you can not make it up.**

Today's Trivia Question ~ What makes Santa's reindeer fly?

Yesterday's Question ~ One traditional Christmas song goes "Here we come a-wassailing". What is wassailing?

Answer ~ Wassail is an ale-based drink seasoned with spices and honey. It is served from large bowls and passed around with the greeting "Wassail". "Wassailing" was to pass the bowl around the room or to visit houses, greeting people with Wassail and cheer. Wassail translates to "be well".

Featured Shop - Apocalypso
Apocalypso is run by Faith from Crazyville, NJ. Her shop is filled with designs inspired by Day of the Dead, Vintage and Retro.

Rose Garden Necklace

How did you choose your shop name?
"I wanted something fun, retro, day of the dead-esque and sassy. I brainstormed with friends and my author friend Natasha Boyd came up with the store name."

Gypsy Nights Earrings

Why did you choose to make/sell what you do?
"I have a degree in jewelry design and when I need a good creative outlet I go back to making jewelry. After I had my son, I decided to take a break from working full time but needed a creative outlet and started making jewelry that I would want to wear."

Sugar Skull Teal iPhone 5 case

What inspires the designs/creations you make?

"Color, Folk art, vintage and retro icons all go into my designs. I love things that are just a little over the top."

Rainbow and Sunshine Anklet

What new designs/creations would you like to add to your shop in the future?
"I'd like to add more men's items."

Pin Up Girl Guitar Pick Necklace

You'll have a chance to win your choice of small Day of the Dead earrings fromApocalypso. Enter now on the main Giveaway Post.

 

Day Of The Dead Skull Earrings

Day Of The Dead Skull Earrings

The magic maker, Miss Faith herself.

 

Visit Apocalypso on Etsy.

Since it's Christmas, I asked the shops to share their favorite holiday movie.

"A Christmas Story. I've obsessed over this movie since I was a little kid. Me and everyone in my family knows the movie by rote! Who doesn't yearn to have a real leg lamp of their own like that!!"

For a little holiday fun, I asked the shops to share with us some of their favorite recipes and craft how to's.

 

Orange and Clove Pomanders

"When we were kids and it got close to Christmas, my mother would call us to the table and she'd have put out a bowl of oranges, and two spice containers of whole cloves and whatever left over fancy ribbon she had left over. You take the cloves and push them though the oranges skin. You can put them in designs or use a zester to cut designs into the peel. Don't go too deep or the orange will dry up too fast. After you've covered your orange with the cloves (try using a thimble since your finger tips hurt after you push a lot of cloves through) take a ribbon and tie it around a add a loop so you can hang them. There is no smell as amazing as when you make these. They make lovely hostess gifts and they are wonderful to decorate around the house with because they're so fragrant. They last a good amount of time before you have to throw them out too!! The smell brings me right back to my childhood and happy family time. It's a great thing to do with your kids as the memory is a strong one."


Earn 10 Extra Entries ~ Submit Your Holiday Recipe.
Submit your own holiday recipe or craft how-to for an extra 10 entries in the giveaway. You will find the entry, with full details on how to submit the recipe, on the Rafflecopter widget on the main Giveaway Post. We will post submitted recipes daily.

Fear Friday ~ The Christmas Edition Pt. 2

This month all our Fear Friday reviews will be for movies set at Christmas time. Tonight's film is a train wreck with a surprising amount of recognizable faces. Enjoy!

Every Friday at the Laughing Vixen Lounge Blog is Fear Friday. Fear Fridays are a celebration of all films spooky. Horror is a very broad genre and the Lounge loves it all. Each Friday you will find a review of a different film. These can range from Classic Horror (black and white and cheesy), Thrillers (suspense, jumps and a good mystery), outright Horror (chop chop, slash slash, die die) and anything else in between.

So pop some popcorn, kill the lights and enjoy tonight's selection. And please, share your comments on the film. Bad or good let me know what you thought of it. And now, my little ghouls and dolls, the Laughing Vixen Lounge Blog is proud to present this week's film.

Friday the 13th

Just a quick nod to the classic on it's special day. Happy Friday the 13th. Now go spread the love.

Fear Friday - Santa's Slay

 

Tagline - Spreading Holiday Fear This Christmas.

Directed by David Steimen and releaded on October 25, 2005 by Media 8 Entertainment (Rated R). Santa turns out to really be the son of Satan (get it, switch the letters around) who has lost a bet with an Angel and is forced to be a holly jolly gift giver for the next 1,000 years. Uh oh!!! Looks like the 1,000 years is up and Santa is tired of being nice!

I wanted to watch something I had not seen before and this is the gem I chose. While there is some blood and violence this movie is mainly cheese! It's a humorous take on Santa and Christmas. Santa is a big creepy looking guy who goes around killing everyone in the little town of Hell. Of course not all the residents are ready to go so easily.

If you like comedy, silly comedy, with your horror this it a fun watch. Just don't expect anything great from it! It is what it is... silly. But I was completely amazed at how many recognizable faces are in it. If you watch lots of TV you should recognize most of the cast.

Sorry, no trivia listed for this one.

Day 12 of the Christmas A Go-Go Giveaway

Welcome to day 12 of the 2nd annual Christmas A Go-Go Giveaway from Laughing Vixen Lounge. Make sure to stop by the main Giveaway Post and enter to win a $250+ Prize Pack full of Fa-La-La-Luscious treats from 12 of the most fabulous shops around. Each day you will find daily holiday trivia that can earn you lots of extra entries (see details below). There will also be shop features for all of our participating shops. They will be reminiscing about their favorite holiday movies and giving us a peek at how they do what they do.

A big part of the Christmas Giveaway are the holiday recipes. What better way to enjoy the holiday season than with some old favorites and a few new desserts and dishes. Our shops are sharing their favorites and we invite you to do the same. You can submit your own recipe to earn 10 extra entries and have it posted on the blog for everyone to enjoy. See details below.

Every Friday at the Laughing Vixen Lounge Blog is Fear Friday. Fear Fridays are a celebration of all films spooky. During December they will all have a Christmas theme. A special treat for any spooky movie fan and just maybe a chance for some more extra entries.

Vintage Bathing Beauties Charm Bracelet

Purchase any item(s) from Laughing Vixen Lounge through December 31st and get 10% off your order. Use code DECEMBER10 at checkout.

Holiday Trivia Game

Test your knowledge and earn an extra entry each day. Each daily post will have a holiday trivia question. Leave your answer on the Rafflecopter widget, on the main Giveaway Post, for 1 entry in the giveaway. Please do not post answers anywhere else on the blog or they will be deleted and not count.

**You can only post 1 answer per 24 hour period. Rafflecopter runs on Eastern Standard Time. So if you miss a day you can not make it up.**

Today's Trivia Question ~ One traditional Christmas song goes "Here we come a-wassailing". What is wassailing?

Yesterday's Question ~ In the 1964 animated classic, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, what job does the Bumble (The Abominable Snow Monster of the North) get at the end of the story?

Answer ~ He puts the star on top of the Christmas trees.

Featured Shop - Painting My Roses Red 
PaintingMyRosesRed is run by Sarah Smith from Northampton, England. Her shop has lots of vintage, upcycled and re-loved crafts.

Christmas Tree Earrings

How did you choose your shop name?

"Since I decided to re-vamp my shop and my sister offered to join me and make a few items too, we wanted a name we both liked and that had meaning for us. My sister is a big Alice in Wonderland fan and I like the story too, we ended up with Painting My Roses Red as it's also a link to my mom who loved roses so it just seemed to fit."

Shell Angels

Why did you choose to make/sell what you do?

"I'm still not sure if its a good or bad thing that I like so many crafts. I'm always trying new things and have a lot of craft equipment. I like to be able to offer variety of things and I'm always making gifts which when I can I will make something specific to the person's taste. My own interests always encroach on what I sell (I started making Downton Abbey themed items when they released the fabrics recently, after buying the fabrics to make myself something). I try to make items that are unique and interesting."

Crochet Robin Decoration

What inspires the designs/creations you make?

"I am often inspired by materials I have, I enjoy playing with new ideas - they don't always work, but I like to see what I can create. For example I went through a phase making a lot of jewellery, but there are so many talented crafters out there that selling jewellery is hard, you need to find something a little different. I moved to upcycling and reusing old jewellery and buttons, I then learnt to crochet and decided to combine the two."

"I also find inspiration from other crafters, items you buy in the shops and vintage designs. Just flicking through a vintage pattern book or pinterest you can see so many ideas and add a little twist to make them your own."

Fairy Jewellery Box

What new designs/creations would you like to add to your shop in the future?

I hope to add more crochet items, I'm still learning but hope to be able to do more, it's just a case of trial and error! I am just getting round to working on an idea I had probably a year ago! I need to make a lot of crochet flowers and source more vintage buttons/jewellery items so it's a work in progress. I am also hoping to add more fabric items. My sister and I plan to purchase a better sewing machine when we can, whilst my moms one does the basic stitch after attending a sewing class with modern machines it will be so much easier and open up more options as to what we can make. I would like to add more Downton Abbey themed items, such as the cushion cover I made for myself recently, it's all a case of juggling craft time!

Heart Crochet Earrings

You'll have a chance to win a Downton Abbey Fabric Flower Hair Clip, Crochet Owl Ornament and Purple Glass Pearl Bracelet from PaintingMyRosesRed. Enter now on the main Giveaway Post.

Downton Abbey Fabric Flower Hair Clip

Crochet Owl Ornament

Purple Glass Pearl Bracelet

 Visit Painting My Roses Red on Etsy.

Since it's Christmas, I asked the shops to share their favorite holiday movie. 

"I love the different bbc tv series they used to show on Sunday tea times, one of my favourites was The Chronicles of Narnia and every year I watch The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe. It starts off with a real wintery feeling, your always amazed by the amount of snow they have. I love the fantasy of it all, the different characters and the real wicked 'Queen of Narnia'. The series stayed very close to the book, the language and how the children speak to each other 'you pack of self satisfied stuck-up prigs!' (harsh words!) Sounds so out of place now, but makes you feel it was another era. It also reminds of Sunday tea time where we would have the fire going, eating jam and crumpets and watching the latest episode on a dark winter night. They don't have Sunday tea time shows like this now."

For a little holiday fun, I asked the shops to share with us some of their favorite recipes and craft how to's.

Christmas Pudding Recipe

"This recipe is from a diabetic cookbook, we switched to making these when my dad was diagnosed with diabetes, so this has reduced sugar, but still really good."

Ingredients 

Dried Apricots (ready to eat) chopped into small pieces     4oz/100g

Sultanas                              4oz/100g

Raisins                                 4oz/100g

Brandy                                 4 tablespoons

Glace cherries, quartered     1oz/25g

Chopped mixed nuts           2oz/50g

Fresh Breadcrumbs             3oz/75g

Suet or Vegetarian Suet      2oz/50g

Ground Mixed Spice           1 teaspoon/5ml

Ground Cinnamon               1/2 teaspoon/2.5ml

Lemon - grated rind             1

Eggs, lightly beaten             2

Butter/Margarine for greasing the pudding bowl

Depending on your own taste, you could remove nuts and cherries if you wish. This recipe can be used to make one Christmas Pudding or several mini Christmas puds. I am basing the recipe on making one.

Equipment

Bowl for mixing                                                                  
Pudding bowl (suitable for using in a steamer)

Steamer                                                                                
Scales

Wooden spoon for mixing                                            
Greaseproof Paper (Baking Parchment)

Foil                                                                                          
String

Grease and base line (greaseproof paper) of the pudding bowl. In a bowl put the apricots, sultanas and raisins, soak them in the brandy overnight.

Add the cherries and nuts, mix. In a separate bowl add the breadcrumbs, ground mixed spice, cinnamon, lemon rind and suet, mix. Stir the dry mixture into the fruit. Add the beaten eggs, stir well to mix thoroughly. 

Pour the mixture into the pudding bowl. Cover the top of the mixture with grease proof paper, then add a cover of foil. Hold the foil in place with string (we always tie the string so that it has a 'handle' which enables you to carefully lift the pudding in out of the steamer.

Steam the pudding in a steamer over a pan of gently simmering water for 2 hours. It's a good idea to set the timer to remind you to check there's enough water in the steamer.

Once steamed, lift the pudding out and let it cool down. Once cool cover the pudding with fresh greaseproof paper and foil. This pudding can be stored in a dark cupboard (this allows the flavours to soak into the fruit.) I usually make it late-end November ready for eating on Christmas Day.

To reheat, steam for a further 2 hours.

                                                               

Serves: up to 6 people - each having medium servings

Eat with: Brandy Cream, Brandy Butter, Cream or Ice Cream

If making the mini puddings, dependent upon pudding bowl size you could make up to eight puddings.

The History of the Christmas Pudding

I just thought, before the recipe I'd give you a bit of background to the Christmas Pudding - something you might not of had before!

Christmas (or Plum) Pudding is the traditional end to the British Christmas dinner. What is now the Christmas Pudding, is not what it was originally like!

Christmas pudding was originally called 'frumenty', a 14th century style porridge that was made of beef and mutton with raisins, currants, prunes, wines and spices. It was often more like soup and eaten as a fasting meal in preparation for Christmas festivities.

By the late 1500s, frumenty was slowly changing into a plum pudding. It was thickened with eggs, breadcrumbs, dried fruit and given more flavour by adding beer and spirits. It became a Christmas dessert around 1650, however it was some a few years banned by Puritans who saw it as a bad custom to have.

In 1714, King George I re-established it as part of the Christmas meal. By the Victorian era Christmas Puddings had changed into something similar to the ones that are eaten today.

There are many superstitions about the Christmas Pudding, including the pudding should be made with 13 ingredients to represent Jesus and His Disciples, that every member of the family should take turns to stir the pudding with a wooden spoon from east to west, in honour of the Wise Men. In our family we stir the pudding and 'make a wish', I don't where this superstition fits in!

Christmas Puddings also have a link to Easter. The decorative sprig of holly on the top of the pudding is a reminder of Jesus' Crown of Thorns. Brandy or another alcoholic drink is often poured over the pudding and lit at the table to make a spectacular display.

Another tradition is putting a silver coin in the pudding it's said to bring luck to the person that finds it (although today most would put more than one coin in so everyone gets one!) The tradition seems to date back to the Twelfth Night Cake which was eaten during the festivities on the 'Twelfth Night' of Christmas (the official end of the Christmas celebrations). Originally a dried pea or bean was baked in the cake and whoever got it, was 'king or queen' for the night. There are records of this practice going back to the court of Edward II (early 1300s). The bean was also sometimes a silver ring of small crown. The first coins used were a Silver Farthing or penny. After WW1 it became a threepenny bit and then a sixpence.

Other items, called 'tokens' or 'favours' were sometimes placed in the Christmas Pudding which also had special meanings:

• Bachelor's Button: If a single man found it, they would be a bachelor for the next year
• Spinster's/Old Maid's Thimble: If a single woman found it, they would be a spinster for the next year
• A Ring: If a single person found this, it meant you will get married in the next year! It could also mean you will be rich for the next year

A Christmas Carol By Charles Dickens

'Hallo! A great deal of steam! The pudding was out of the copper. A smell like a washing-day! That was the cloth. A smell like an eating-house and a pastrycook’s next door to each other, with a laundress’s next door to that! That was the pudding. In half a minute Mrs Cratchit entered: flushed, but smiling proudly: with the pudding, like a speckled cannon-ball, so hard and firm, blazing in half of half-a-quartern of ignited brandy, and bedight with Christmas holly stuck into the top.'

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